Budget to empower Queensland’s thriving communities

Empowering communities to be resilient is a key focus of the Palaszczuk Government’s 2018-19 State Budget with a multi-million dollar investment to create thriving communities across Queensland, including $12.7 million for neighbourhood and community centres across the state.

Announcing the additional funding today, Minister for Communities Coralee O’Rourke said the State Budget included funding for eight new neighbourhood and community centres in Queensland.

“We currently fund 124 neighbourhood and community centres across Queensland, which provide vital information and services to vulnerable Queenslanders,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“However, we are planning for the future, which is why the 2018-19 budget includes $3 million for the construction of the Moranbah Youth and Community Centre as part of a capital and operating funding agreement with BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance and $6 million for the construction of centres at Inala and East Murgon.

“There is a further $1.7 million to acquire land for new centres at Bowen and Wilsonton, and for the design and development of centres in Kallangur and Yarrabilba/Jimboomba and the Thursday Island Community Hub.

“We will also invest $1.9 million this year on building upgrades, rectifications and compliance works in our existing centres.”

In addition to investing in neighbourhood and community centres, the 2018-19 State Budget has significant funding for other services to build thriving communities.

Mrs O’Rourke said funding for programs such as Foodbank Queensland’s School Breakfast Program and the Palaszczuk Government’s Better Budgeting Initiative was an integral part of empowering communities and building their resilience.

“We’ve committed $1 million over four years to expand Foodbank Queensland’s successful School Breakfast Program in Queensland schools,” she said.

“We’re also continuing our $6.5 million per annum investment in the Better Budgeting initiative, which provides access to budgeting advice and other support to vulnerable Queenslanders through our Good Money Stores in Cairns and the Gold Coast and network of financial counsellors.

“We also recognise that programs, such as Men’s Sheds, are integral parts of our thriving communities, and that’s why we’re investing $200,000 in the 2018-19 State Budget to support the Bundaberg Men’s Shed.

“The 2018-19 Budget reflects that the Palaszczuk Government’s is delivering on its commitment to build empowered, resilient and thriving communities that are caring and inclusive of our most vulnerable Queenslanders.”

For more information about the 2018-19 State Budget, go to https://budget.qld.gov.au/

Media Contact: Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389